Imran Khan (in blue) falls as guards and supporters try to climb aboard the lift he is standing on. PHOTO: PTI SOCIAL MEDIA

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan suffered injuries as he fell off a lifter while being raised onto a stage, Express News reported on Tuesday. The election rally was being held in Gulberg, near Ghalib market.

A few hours after the fall, Imran reportedly announced that planned rallies will be held as per schedule, but the party later announced that all events scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday were cancelled.

According to the head of Shaukat Khanum Dr Faisal, the PTI chairman had suffered from head injury but was in his senses and recognising everyone though a report will be issued after detailed tests, PTI’s official twitter account confirmed.

However, Imran was not immediately rushed to the hospital he had helped built. He was first taken to Jinnah Hospital to receive first aid. Doctors there comforted Imran’s supporters and well-wishers, asking them to stay calm as the PTI chairman was out of danger.

“His [Imran] head suffered two injuries and there was one back injury,” Doctor Shafiq told Express News adding that the PTI chairman had also received stitches. “He was fully conscious and could move his legs and feet which is a good sign. There was no neurological damage.”

“It is an external injury only but Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and further x-rays will confirm this.”

Doctors of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital (SKMCH) after medically examining Imran, adviced him to take two weeks of bed rest.

Briefing the mdedia, Dr Faisal Sultan of SKMCH said that the condition of the PTI chief was quite stable but he will remain in the hospital overnight.

Message from hospital

Later in a video message from his hospital bed, Imran urged his supporters to get out on May 11 and vote for his party.

With a stitched wound above his left eye and brace around his neck, Imran said he had done what he could. ”Now I want you to take responsibility. If you want to change your desitny, I want you to take responsibility.”

In the two minute long video, he said that he has not done any favours on anyone and it was his duty to do what he did. But that if people wanted to change the way the country works, they will have to go out and vote on May 11.

“Do not look at the candidate but look at the vision and the party ticket.“

14 foot fall

Imran along with three security guards was being raised onto a 20 foot tall stage via lifter.

Standing on a wooden platform, Imran was gripped by his guards. Midway another of his security guards tried to climb aboard the platform. This made the platform unbalanced and caused the five to tip over, somersault through the air and land on the roof of the lifter before falling on to the ground.

“He [Imran] first fell on to the roof of the lifter, and then fell to the ground,” the driver of the vehicle said.

As a result of the fall, the PTI Chairman received a head injury. He was seen bleeding, in a semi-conscious state as he was rushed away from the site of the accident.

The three security personnel were also injured as the group fell off the lifter.

Imran was initially transported to Jinnah hospital and was later shifted to Shaukat Khanum hospital, heavily strapped and with his head covered in bandages and his neck in a head brace.

“Imran Khan is alright. He has been taken to the hospital for first aid. He will be back to address the rally very soon after getting initial treatment,” PTI spokesperson Chaudhry Rizwan told AFP via telephone shortly after the incident.

Shortly after, a number of PTI members confirmed that Imran was conscious and out of danger including singer Abrarul Haq PTI Chairman and his ex-wife Jemima Khan.

Imran was supposed to address nine rallies in total today, from Ghalib stadium he was headed to Raiwind for a rally and then back again to Lahore.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief in his rally in Rawalpindi called for prayers for the swift recovery of Imran Khan and cancelled its events planned for Wednesday. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) cancelled its election events scheduled for Tuesday.

The President, Chief Election Commissioner, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Tahirul Qadri, Shahbaz Sharif and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have all expressed their sympathy over Imran’s injury and prayed for his swift recovery.

Quite shocking indeed! The operators of that lifter should have had more sense and not allowed overloading it! Hope Imran gets well soon and its not anything serious! We need you Imran be safe God bless :)

Well it is small incident and Khan for sure will recover to continue with his election campaign. I am not sure about your point linking the chaos in Pakistan with a small incident. your point is against khan or against Pakistan.

ET reports that somebody pulled the wooden platform when he was standing on the lifter. Who can pull the legs of Imran Khan. It is a conspiracy. Believe me, in Pakistan all such incidents are planned by opponents.

Differences aside, I feel really sorry for him, I hope it’s not too dangerous I wish him quick and full recovery soon, he is a national treasure.

I dont understand the way people behave around political figures you just cannot talk in peace there’s always a million people on stages and around the political leaders. It’s about time people clean up their act start behaving responsibly.

@Water Bottle:
Totally agree with you on this mate … that might be the reason he is honest in a society common with corruption and nepotism. I do have reservations on his policy regarding talks with criminals but liberal parties couldn’t eradicate this problem and since it’s PML(N) vs PTI then the only choice we’re left in current lot is PTI who’s leader is manifold better than those leaders who would talk rubbish to fool the masses and would consider building roads prosperity just so that they get to No 1 on the richest person’s list of Pakistan.
We need real progress which involves change in education system, justice system, population control, electricity shortage and corruption reduction among a dozen other problems. Clearly top two parties didn’t bother to care for millions of people who were suffering in scorching heat without even a fan on their head from past two decades and did not bother to address these issues.

After watching the video, I think it was extremely stupid on the part of Organiser to place that many guys (atleast 6 I guess) on such a small lifter without any railings. Then there were the 3 security guards who were holding each other and Imran (as if they were standing with their leader on ground), one of the security man lost his balance as the other pulled one of his leg by mistake while trying to get on the lifter and down went all 4 of them hugging each other. Wish all 4 men a quick recovery.

this is conspiracy….all the people on lifter should be arrested and questioned….I am sure there is more to this than what appears …..video footage should be looked into…I think someone pushed him or snatched him while falling himself….
Imran is honest and he had to pay the price of honesty…this dirty country does not deserve such selfless people….

Shame on caretaker government for not detailing an ambulance for Imran Khan. Although not surprising, given its ill-concealed fondness for the Sharifs. Anyway, get up Skipper! Show these paper tigers what real “cornered” tigers are made of…

Thank God, Imran Khan is conscious. However there is no news on those who fell with him, they are just as important as him. Secondly why would you come down up on a forklift, when there were stairs. If looked like they were to create some amazing stunt, that went horribly wrong, and that it would look super cool and modern. Who would come up on a fork lift? Why? and 5 people on 1 lift. All the pro PTI news agencies are calling it a standard lift, knowing full well how stupid it is to come up on a forklift. If he wins the elections with a sympathy vote, for his own parties pathetic organization , then that would be unfair on those from other parties, who aren’t corrupt and have invested lots of money on standing elections. Also PTI bandwagon is lying that he was unconscious till he went to hospital. He was conscious on the stretcher, before he was taken away in an ambulance.

Mian Sahib, you may have Lion as a symbol, but our real LION is Imran Khan. And You Know That Injured Lion Is Even More Dangerous!!! As He Proved That In 1992, He Was Bowling With Pain Killer Injections. He Will Back Soon And His Roar & His Resolve Will Be Much Higher!!!

Shahsawar is still a tifl in politics and he has much to learn, but the common man is mesmerized by this simpleton. I do wish him good health and I also pray that he becomes the next PM of Pakistan so we can all see how he transforms the nation in ninety days and what his foreign policy will be or if he will just be another tool in the hands of the establishment.

Seriously ET mod there is limit of everything. You advocate freedom of speech and 3/4 naked women but you don’t wanna post my comment… so lame
and do post this comment to show world what you really are!!

@Jat:
this is either an accident…that can happen to anyone…or it was a conspiracy and conspiracy can happen to “LEADERS”only…..
so stop fooling around and pray for him…even if u are PML-N supporter…after all he is human being….

Long-time cricket fans know is that IK was the “Lion of Pakistan” long before circus tigers were given “tiger” as their symbol. Time to live up to that nickname, my Skipper. Get up. Fight through this injury like you did through the World Cup Final. I am more sure than ever. Victory is yours!

@Mo:
Do you know who else got killed on 27 December 2007 apart from Benazir Bhutto. People are more concern about thier leaders and this a normal act. As all the world knows IK has established an Institution for people who cannot afford cancer treatment and they get free international standard treament free of cost. Therefore rest assure that his own security team is in good hands.
IK does not need sympathy vote, he is a TIGER as he has proved in 1992. IK & PTI will win because IK & PTI lives in peoples heart.

It is a minor injury and we are sure you’ll recover and recoil more vigorously. God bless you with good health, courage and to keep up the determination with which you are inspiring the nation into high spirits……………………. The wind of change you ignited will continue blowing in the right direction. Get well soon and live long……… Aameen

In Sha Allah he will soon be back on stage as Allah will never bent down his determinations to strive for the betterment of HIS creatures. He is our Hero. I request to the Nation, please pray for the health of our Hero. Allah Un ko Lambi Umer dein….AAAAMMMMIINNN…

PTI Official: CT scan results show only a minor
fracture. IK will be fine inshallah
though he is in a lot of pain

Relieved that he’s doing all better now but shockingly unbelievable how he was being carried to the ambulance. Any person who suffers a fall or an accident like that shouldn’t be moved an inch without a cervical collar and a crash board, or else it might not be the exact accident that kills the guy but your irresponsible and emotional outburst to help him when you’re not qualified to.

I am sorry to hear about Mr. Khan’s accident. I hope he recovers fully and quickly to get back on the campaign trail.

However, the most amazing thing is the responses to the story. As I write this there are 124 responses and not one trying to blame the USA, India, or Israel for the accident. No crazy conspiracy theories at all. What a refreshing change. In the past, every time a Pakistani got constipated, he or she would try and find a way to blame America.

Maybe Pakistanis as a nation are growing up and getting over their paranoia. If so, there is hope for Pakistan after all.

I request to the Nation, please pray for the Nation’s Hero that Allah will give him a sound health and soon be back on stage to address his lovers. Imran Khan, Allah will help you to fulfill your dreams for Pakistan. May he live LONG and HEALTHY….AAAMMMMIIIINNNNNNN…

Wish him well. However, God has ways of showing his disapproval as well. The hate filled speeches he has been delivering – calling politicians diesel, bakri, talking of beating people with balla, hunting lions and offending religious sentiments etc appear to not go down with the Almighty and He wants no more of it. IK should focus on his own good, benefits etc.rather than running down others and capitalising on them or receive ovations on them in his speeches.

Imran, get well soon. But if a leader couldn’t climb 25 ft, how would he could take this nation to the heights, he is promising for? Some of you may be irritated due to emotion, but you will realize it after 5 years when this nation will go down further, in case of PTI would get majority….

My question for PTI supporters:
How would you feel if at this time people start to say that Imran Khan has done this deliberately in order to gain sympathy? The way you said for MQM when it lifts coffins everyday.
Honest replies would be appreciated instead of mud slinging.
Even though I’m not a PTI supporter I wish Imran Khan a speedy recovery.Recommend

Ya allah please make Imran recover he is truly a man of god may Allah bless for he has worked very hard for a vote may allah bless him like e said i will wash all bad pti leaders in the washing mashine get well soon inshallah my hero. Yo inshallah will go to heaven thanks to Allah you survived the fall see allah works his wonders

Insha Allah Imran khan will be a member of the parliment govt officially resposibilty for initiating bussines in parliment of pakistan….and he will work for the change…
May Allah bless the great imran khan Good Health of the coming finel Match..

Using a fork lifter with unsecured platform is a pinnacle of stupidity. In a civilized world even a zoo will not use this technique to lift an animal and look in The Land of the Pure they used it for a national leader. This is Naya pakistan.

Please guys for a moment forget your are Sindhi, Punjabi, Mahajir, Baloch or Pathan. Think as a Pakistani and vote for balla. Imran Khan has given his everything for a better Pakistan. Please give him a chance, lets make a Naya Pakistan. Atleast now noone should have an ounce of doubt on his sincerety! Pakistan Zindabad

I have ben crying since this morning for my country, my people, my leader
He is not fake, he is not like others, please pray and vote for him, convince you friends & family to vote for him. He started it on his own, sacrificed everything, he has been convincing others for the past 17 years, now its our turn to do something for ourselves and our country…. Please for God sake, forget differences and who are his candidates……Thank You All

whether we agree with his political views or not, one thing is certain, he is our nation’s hero. first as an amazing sportsman and then as a philanthrophist. Get well soon Imran Khan, we may not all want you as our prime minister but we all love you dearly

Only a sincere and honest leader works this hard, this is a man who truly wishes the best for his nation and his people. He is sacrificing his health and life for Pakistan. We Pakistanis don’t deserve such a great person, but Pakistan desperately needs him.

Imran’s fall is the begining of his rise to forthcoming glory. People must come out to vote PTI on 11th otherwise entire nation will fall with much greater pain, if NS wins the election. Allah Bless Imran and Pakistan.

This fall is the final nail in the coffin in revealing that Khan is backed by the establishment. This guy took worse injuries in cricket but played on, and yet, one small injury, a sudden emotional video after that from the hospital…and Bingo! Drama complete, sympathy scenario created. This guy is so deep, it’s not even funny. Only God truly knows what’s going on behind the scenes.

It has been reported, “Imran Khan Vows to Shoot Down US Drones If Elected: .
Speaking at a rally in Swabi in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said that if U.S. drones entered Pakistani airspace, he would order the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) to shoot them down.”http://is.gd/G9cGDa
Whilst I personly have no problems with such an action, and have for the last ten years asked the question as to why Pakistan has not shot down these murderous weapons earlier, I have reservations of Imran publicly announcing his intentions to do so.
IMHO, I fear this statement has placed a large big red bullseye right on Imran’s back as target No 1 from the U.S. just as Chavez had been targeted by the U.S. earlier.
I would have thought, Imran was aware of this, and formulated his intended policies accordingly.
I strongly suspect, IF Imran does come into power, (and that is NOT absolute) his reign may be very short lived.
I hope and pray I’m wrong.

Imran May Allah protect you and has you said in your Msg from Hospital, that what you could do for us you did. and its our turn to stand up for ourself and we assure you our leader we will stand and we all will vote for PTI

What a sad end for a leader who was not a leader, a politician who was not familiar with politics, a cricketer who had given up cricketing: He wanted to be a chief not a flunky, the boss and not the under dog, and yet he had not demonstrated his loyalty for the country and althugh talked about the change, his last minute declatation for upholding the current constitution without amending the laws of inquisition and excommunication. In other words “No Change”.

PIA flights overbooked the culprits are ready to leave the country after may 11. Imran khan they have to pay whatever they have done within their tenure to destroy Pakistan. culprits and their followers run for your life

@Mirza Omar:
oh..look what we have got here…you seem to be doctor…!!! how can u say it is small injury…let us make u jump from 20 feet suffer 6″wounds and fracture in backbone then come back and comment/….if u can…our nation is purely becoming sceptic……

It appears from the camera that this incident shows some conspiracy against Imran and is not just a happening by chance. The security guards are pullung Imran Khan towards them by putting their arms in the arm of Imran Khan instead of supporting him to stand up and one fat man wearing blue shirt pushed Imran Khan. It is absolutely essential to probe thoroughly into the incident. This also shows slackness on the part of those persons who had made meeting arrangements. The arrangements were defective and inadequate. Why there was no ambulance to meet the emergency on such occasions. This also shows slackness of provincial caretaking government.